My View, Elaine Hirst: Cash is in for a new phase of arts work

DNweekeND in Doncaster. Lucy Hayes (seven) from Warmsworth with Jonny Dixon from Pif-Paf try out the Flycycle. Picture: Malcolm Billingham

Published:10:32Friday 29 January 2016

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As 2016 gets under way we are starting to look towards the next phase of Right Up Our Street in Doncaster.

After an amazing three years where our team of arts supporters and curators have worked with communities from across the borough developing the arts, crafts and creative spirit, we are now looking to build on this foundation.

And, thanks to Arts Council funding from the Creative People and Places project, we are now looking to develop a further three years of arts activities in Doncaster for the community, involving the community.

We are delighted that we will be continuing to work with many of the community members who have worked tirelessly to bring events in their area to life.

The work will be led by Andrew Loretto, who will be taking on the role of project director.

Originally funded for three years in 2013 by the Arts Council, Right Up Our Street has been all about Doncaster people choosing, making, seeing and sharing great art.

The last three years have shown that there is a clear appetite for and interest in the creative arts in our town.

Phase two will enable us to put our focus on sustaining audience engagement, extending artistic ambition and embedding community decision making.

We’ll also work to develop Doncaster’s annual arts festival, DNweekeND, to attract residents from all areas to travel to the centre for the event and keep local communities inspired by activity happening locally.

Right Up Our Street phase two will be very different to what has gone before.

For one thing, we will be working with a hugely reduced budget with the funding coming in at a third of what was allocated in the first three years.

We’ve been delighted by the way local residents have embraced Right Up Our Street.